Cameroon Coffee Beans: The Ultimate Guide
Cameroon has had its ups and downs in the coffee production realm. It was once one of the greatest producers of coffee. Now it ranks, still impressively, as 21st on the global stage thanks to the determination of smallholder farmers.
This article explores Cameroon coffee beans with the ultimate guide.
A Complete Guide To The Cameroon Coffee Industry
This guide will take you through the Cameroon coffee region in detail. Read on to learn about its history, growing conditions, and flavour profiles.
History
Cameroon is a Central African country on the Gulf of Guinea. Cameroon’s coffee production began when German colonizers set up coffee farms in the 1880s.
Currently, Cameroon is the 21st largest coffee producer in the world, with an annual coffee yield of 34,000 tonnes.
Coffee production in Cameroon has fallen drastically in the past three decades. This is largely due to governmental interference, market liberalization, and low productivity. A worldwide recession, crop competition, ageing coffee plants, poor management, and a lack of good soil health and fertilizer supply have also contributed to the decline.
Growing Regions
Cameroon is ranked 21st among coffee-producing countries. Most Cameroonian coffees currently for sale come from the Boyo Hills in Bamenda, Cameroon. However, Cameroonian production of coffee did not start there (1).
Trial coffee farms [started] in Victoria, Ebolowa, Nkongsamba, and Dschang. Production later expanded to other regions, including Yokadouma, Abong-Mbang, Doumé, Lomié, and Akonolinga.
Robusta dominates Arabica coffee in the Cameroon coffee industry, making up approximately 85% of coffee beans grown in the country. Robusta coffee is mainly grown in the Littoral provincial area and in the Adamawa, East, Southwest, and West provinces. Cameroon’s Arabica trees grow in the Western highlands and the Northwest province. The most common Arabica varietals are Bourbon, Typica, and Java – varietals frequently used for gourmet whole coffee beans.
Coffee Tasting Notes
Cameroonian coffee has a wide range of flavours. The Robusta beans are balanced, chocolatey, earthy, and have a distinct nutty taste. The Arabica beans deliver acidic, fruity, floral, and sweet notes.
Coffee Processing
Cameroon coffee is harvested from September to December, after which it is processed to prepare it for export. Natural processing is the most popular method used in Cameroon coffee farming, according to local coffee expert Matti Foncha (2).
Many farmers are currently sticking to natural processing due to instability in the region. It’s very difficult to facilitate washed coffee processing in a conflict zone, as it requires constant attention.
Natural processing, when done with proper care, can produce sweet and complex Cameroon coffee. However, it is less consistent than washed processing because it is more influenced by climate.
Cameroon Coffee Reviews: The 3 Best Cameroon Coffees In 2023
Home Grounds has compiled a review of the best Cameroonian coffees in 2023. They span a variety of roast levels and flavour profiles to appeal to every kind of coffee lover.
If you are interested in the best African coffee beans, you might also enjoy beans from Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Ugandan coffee beans.
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Due Fratelli Cameroon Boyo |
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BeanBear Cameroon |
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Ethical Addictions Cameroon Boyo |
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1. Due Fratelli Cameroon Boyo
Roast level: Medium
- Tasting notes: Salted caramel, chocolate and red berry
- Grind: Whole Bean
Due Fratelli is inspired by the great coffee culture of Italy, but is proudly based in Suffolk, supplying freshly roasted coffee to the UK.
For this Cameroon coffee, they’ve partnered with Matti Foncha, Cameroonian coffee expert and President of the Africa Coffee Trading Group. He initiated the Cameroon Boyo trading model to boost coffee production. This was established to unify the efforts of coffee farmers to produce higher-quality coffees (3).
Cameroon Boyo Coffee is situated in Northwest Cameroon’s Boyo region and is owned and operated by local coffee farmers.
These beans go through a semi-wash process at the source, then shipped to the UK for a medium roast. The balance of rich chocolate and sweet caramel and fruit flavours makes it a versatile coffee, but Home Grounds recommends brewing with an AeroPress or as an espresso.
2. BeanBear Cameroon
Roast level: Light
- Tasting notes: Cranberries, spice, cacao
- Grind: Ground, Whole Bean
BeanBear founded their roastery with a commitment to freshness. You won’t be able to find their coffee in supermarkets, as every batch is shipped directly to the customer after roasting.
Every coffee is assigned its own roast profile to bring out the best it has to offer. In the case of these Cameroon beans, it’s a light roast, which results in notes of herbs and spices, zesty cranberry and earthy cacao liquor.
These delicate notes make it an ideal candidate for brewing as a pour over, which will help you appreciate the complexity and balance.
3. Ethical Addictions Cameroon Boyo
Roast level: Medium
- Tasting notes: Dark Chocolatey, Fruity
- Grind: Ground, Whole Bean
Ethical Addictions has been working with regional coffee expert Matti Foncha for the past five years. And as with Little River Roasting, his expertise has garnered some delicious coffee.
The Ethical Addictions Cameroon Boyo coffee is of the Java II varietal, grown at an altitude of 5100 feet. The coffee beans were medium-roasted to bring out the inherent dark chocolate and red fruit tasting notes. We think the robust flavours and medium body make for a fantastic French press brew.
The Verdict
Cameroon has had a challenging coffee history and still faces hurdles to becoming a modern specialty coffee nation. But the climate and geography of the region hold tremendous potential.
We’ve recommended three delicious Cameroonian coffees from the Boyo Hills with diverse roasts and flavour profiles. And we’re excited to see what’s next from this emerging African coffee growing region.
FAQs
Ethiopia is the country that has the best coffee in Africa. It is most popular for its Arabica varietals Harar, Sidamo, and Yirgacheffe. Ethiopia is the largest coffee producer in the African continent.
Ethiopian coffee is special due to its higher-than-average acidity and intricate flavour profile when compared with other African countries. These light to medium-bodied coffee beans yield wonderful coffees with elegant wine tastes. Ethiopian coffee beans are frequently naturally processed, which infuses them with more fruity notes.
Yes, Robusta is high in caffeine compared to Arabica coffee. On average, Arabica coffee is 1.5% caffeine while Robusta coffee is 2.4% caffeine. So if you plan to sample some Cameroonian Robusta beans, be prepared for an extra pep in your step!
References
- Gakuo, P. (2021, September 8). Coffee production in Cameroon. Retrieved November 15, 2022, from https://perfectdailygrind.com/2021/09/coffee-production-in-cameroon/
- Ospina, A. K. M. (2018, December 18). Processing 101: What Is Washed Coffee & Why Is It So Popular? Retrieved November 17, 2022, from https://perfectdailygrind.com/2018/12/processing-101-what-is-washed-coffee-why-is-it-so-popular/
- Little River Roasting Co. (2022). Cameroon Boyo Coffee, Cameroon. Retrieved November 17, 2022, from https://www.littleriverroasting.com/partner-coffee-farms/cameroon-boyo-coffee-cameroon
